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Chelsea Women injury news: CFCW squad return dates

By Caden Charpentier

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 18: Sam Kerr of Chelsea reacts following the team's victory during the Barclays Women's Super League match between Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC at Stamford Bridge on November 18, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 18: Sam Kerr of Chelsea reacts following the team's victory during the Barclays Women's Super League match between Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC at Stamford Bridge on November 18, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 18: Lauren James (L) Millie Bright (M) and Sam Kerr of Chelsea are shown on scarves before the Barclays Women´s Super League match between Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC at Stamford Bridge on November 18, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images) /

Millie Bright

Possible return date: After the winter break

The depth of this team allows for the absence of captain Millie Bright to almost go unnoticed. The English center back has not featured in the last two games due to a knee injury. It is the same knee issue she has been dealing with since before the World Cup down under. No. 4 has still managed to participate in seven fixtures so far this season for the west Londoners, scoring a goal in their 6-0 drubbing of Aston Villa. Bright will not feature in the Lionesses’ two Nations League contests against Scotland and the Netherlands. Manchester United defender Millie Turner was called in to take her place.

Hayes gave an update on the club’s captain ahead of the PFC match:

"“Preparation going into the World Cup wasn’t ideal. She probably rushed herself back and she’s also come back after the World Cup and quickly into the Chelsea season. Perhaps she needed a little bit longer.”"

There is no timeline for the return of No. 4. Hayes and the coaching staff are taking it “day by day”. Given there only being four games left until the winter break, it would make sense for Maren Mjelde or Kadeisha Buchanan to slot in her place for the time being.

Guro Reiten

Possible return date: Dec. 17 vs. Bristol City

The fact that the west London side is this hot with arguably its best player from last season speaks to the ceiling of this team. Norwegian international Guro Reiten has not stepped foot between the lines since October 8 in Manchester when she helped salvage a point late on.

In late October, Hayes confirmed that No. 11 has sustained an ankle ligament injury. She had been spotted in a boot at Kingsmeadow, and in the stands at Stamford Bridge. The club may be getting through without the star left winger, but as the fixture list gets tougher and tougher, she’ll need to be in there. In a post-match video after the Paris contest, Reiten was seen without the walking boot, an obvious step in the right direction. The chances of a return against Arsenal are slim, but with the boot off, the light at the end of the tunnel is near.

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